Declutter The Kitchen

It is a new year and it’s the perfect time to declutter your kitchen. Did you have a house full of company during the holidays who help you put dishes away…in the wrong location? Did you get new kitchen gadgets for Christmas? Are your cabinets overflowing? Are your countertops cluttered? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this guide is for you.

As you are going the items in the kitchen here are a few questions you should ask yourself.

Do I use this? Yes…keep it. No…donate or sell it.

Do I have more than one of these? Do I really need more than one of these? Yes…keep it. No…donate or sell it.

Would I buy this today? Yes…keep it. No…donate or sell it.

Do I have a sentimental attachment to this item? Yes…keep or store it away. No…donate or sell it.

Dish Towels. Let’s admit it. We all have a drawer full of stained or torn dish towels. Now is the time to take inventory of your dish towels. Pull them all out of the drawer, unfold and inspect. If they are stained or torn toss them out and purchase replacements. Here a few of my favorites. Top Kitchen Towels

Hot Pads or Oven Mitts. Replace and burned or worn mitts or pads. If you have more than 4 consider storing, donating or selling the additional mitts or pads.

Cleaning Supplies. Organize and toss out any empty or no longer used products.

Cooking Utensils. Pull all of your cooking utensils out and place them on you countertop. Start by pulling your 8-10 most used utensils and place them in the utensils holder by your stove or cooktop. Then remove any worn out or duplicate utensils and place them in a donation/sell box. Remove utensils that are never used and lace in the donation/sell box. Place the remaining utensils in a drawer. Don’t have a utensil holder? Check out these options. Kitchen Utensil Holders

Tupperware. This is a big one. Toss out any containers that do not have a matching base or lid.

Cutlery. Inventory quantity and evaluate quality.

Kitchen Gadgets. These are real space eaters. Have you used it in the past year? If not get rid of it.

Dish Ware. Inventory quantity and evaluate quality.

Glass Ware and Mugs. Inventory quality and evaluate quality. Toss out any mismatched or one off glasses or mugs.

Countertops. Cluttered countertops make your kitchen look messy. Remove everything from the countertop and give them a good wipe down. Then place essential appliances in an inconspicuous space. Add your utensil holder and a few decorations you love. Find a new place for the remaining items.

Spices. Odds are you have expired spices in your cabinet. Time to toss them out and replace with fresh spices.

Pantry. Toss any expired items. Donate good products you won’t use to a food pantry.

Refrigerator & Freezer. Toss out expired items. Be sure to check the salad dressings and sauces.